Mansfield Campus Veteran's Listening Project

Mansfield Campus Veteran's Listening Project

Military Friendly

North Central State College was recently named a Military Friendly School for the fourth consecutive year. This honor is given annually by G.I. Jobs magazine.

Upon returning home and to civilian life many veterans struggle and suffer from a sense of extreme isolation because of their military experiences. North Central State College and The Ohio State University at Mansfield are reaching out to military veterans by listening to them.

An effective way of fostering a trauma-informed culture specifically for veterans has been created by psychologist and award winning author Paula Caplan, Ph.D. It is based on her book When Johnny and Jane Come Marching Home. It offers a simple way to help veterans by teaching civilians the art of compassionate listening.

On Nov 4 and 5, Dr. Caplan will conduct orientation and training sessions at the Mansfield Campus for volunteer listening coaches and participants. Caplan’s Welcome Johnny and Jane Home project is about welcoming veterans back into our communities and listening to their stories, oneon- one. She provides guidelines for conducting these conversations. The project has its roots in cultural and social traditions that expect the community to reach out, to be supportive and to nurture the healing of those who have been wounded by trauma. The Welcome Johnny and Jane Home project provides our college and university community with a new and innovative opportunity to support our students and foster their success.